Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Sorghum bicolor is a ANNUAL growing to 5 m (16ft 5in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Shoots, Sap/Syrup

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet sorghum types are chewed like sugar cane and, mainly in the United States, a sweet syrup is pressed from them. — Seed - raw or cooked.; It is used as a whole grain in similar ways to rice, it can be popped much like popcorn, or can be ground into a flour and made into bread etc.; The ground seed yields a particularly white flour.; Sorghum is a staple food in some regions, where it is often fermented (lactic acid fermentation) before being eaten.

Habitat & North American Range

Not known in the wild. (Zone 9)